Chapter Seventy-Six: Unlike Zhang Jiao

Immediately, Liu Yao no longer spared them a glance and said, "If there are no better strategies, the army shall rest for three days. After that, is there anyone willing to go to Guangzong to challenge the enemy and probe the Yellow Turbans' true strength?"

Now, Liu Yao was growing anxious. It was already approaching mid-October, yet there was still no news from Zhang Jiao within Guangzong City. This made Liu Yao worry that something might have changed, so he wished to send someone to investigate.

However, not a single person responded after Liu Yao spoke. Perhaps out of modesty, or perhaps to preserve their own strength. This made Liu Yao frown.

At that moment, Guo Jia's eyes sparkled, and he stepped forward, saying, "My lord, I have heard that Sun Wentai, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, is a formidable general. If he takes the field, victory will surely be ours in the first battle."

As soon as Guo Jia spoke, all eyes filled with displeasure fell upon him. In their view, this was a military camp, filled with high-ranking officials; what place was there for a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth to speak?

Liu Yao pointed at Guo Jia and introduced him, "This is my strategist, Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao."

Everyone was taken aback. They hadn't expected this youth to be Liu Yao's adviser, and they began to regard him with greater respect. They would never believe Liu Yao would employ someone incapable as his strategist—except, of course, Yuan Shu, that fool, who now seethed with jealousy and rage.

"Jia offers salutations to the esteemed lords," Guo Jia bowed politely.

Seeing this, the others returned the gesture in kind. After all, Guo Jia was considered Liu Yao's favored confidant, and it never hurt to build good relations.

Liu Yao looked at Sun Jian and asked, "What does Wentai think of Fengxiao's suggestion?"

"I shall obey your command," Sun Jian replied, fists clasped in salute.

Liu Yao nodded approvingly. "Sun Jian, hear my order: three days from now, lead your three thousand troops to challenge the enemy. I will personally command ten thousand troops to support you."

"I accept the command," Sun Jian replied.

Liu Yao, delighted, said, "Wentai, your valor is renowned. Here, I wish you victory when the banners are raised in three days. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" All raised their cups together.

Three days later, Sun Jian led his own three thousand soldiers to the foot of Guangzong City.

As for Liu Yao, Huangfu Song, and the others, they watched from half a mile behind Sun Jian, with Liu Yao's elite two battalions—the Vanguard and Assault troops—positioned in the rear.

The sight of these well-equipped, disciplined soldiers left Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, and Cao Cao unfazed; they'd seen it before, and were no longer surprised. For those who hadn't, Sun Jian was full of envy, Yuan Shao appeared worried, Dong Zhuo gazed greedily at the two battalions, and Yuan Shu was openly jealous.

Liu Yao, seeing their expressions, nodded with satisfaction. This was exactly the effect he wanted—the sense of awe and intimidation.

"Hey, Zhang Jiao, villain! Sun Jian, Colonel Who Breaks the Rebels of the Han, is here! Do you dare come out and face me?" At that moment, Sun Jian left his troops, rode out alone, and shouted at the Yellow Turbans within Guangzong City.

Liu Yao looked at the four generals behind Sun Jian with appreciation, thinking, "These must be Sun Jian's old retainers: Han Dang, Huang Gai, Zu Mao, and Cheng Pu. Though their martial skills are only second-rate, their loyalty to the Sun family rivals even that of Guan Yu."

Inside Guangzong City, Zhang Jiao, Zhao Bao, and Zhang Liang sat in the council hall.

"Report! Generals, a Han officer has come to challenge us!" A Yellow Turban soldier rushed in.

"Who is it? Is it Liu Yao?" Zhang Bao asked anxiously, and Zhang Liang also looked tense.

"Reporting to the Earth General, the man claims to be Sun Jian, Colonel Who Breaks the Rebels of the Han, not Liu Yao," the soldier replied respectfully.

"Ah," both men breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"Second Brother, as long as it isn't Liu Yao. But why have the Han troops come after two months of inactivity?" Zhang Liang glanced at Zhang Jiao as he spoke.

Zhang Jiao remained silent, lost in thought.

"It doesn't matter! How dare Sun Jian be so arrogant—I'll teach them a lesson!" Zhang Bao, hearing the angry shouts outside, grew furious. "Let's go, we'll see for ourselves from the city wall."

He strode out first, followed closely by Zhang Jiao and Zhang Liang.

Before long, all three appeared atop the city wall.

Upon seeing Zhang Jiao, Liu Yao became restless and incredulous. His infallible foreknowledge had failed him, delivering a heavy blow. According to history, Zhang Jiao should be bedridden or dead by now, yet here he was, lively and energetic. Suddenly, Liu Yao realized his prior strategy—waiting for Zhang Jiao's death to seize Guangzong—was now invalid.

"This is outrageous! Sun Jian dares insult me so—I'll fight him to the death!" Zhang Bao, hot-tempered, wanted to rush down and battle Sun Jian.

Zhang Liang quickly restrained him. "Second Brother, don't be rash. The Han army lacks provisions. If we stall them, they'll retreat on their own. There's no need to take risks."

Zhang Bao calmed down and shouted insolently at Sun Jian below, "Sun Jian, you won't succeed! I refuse to come out—what can you do to me?"

"You..." Sun Jian was enraged. "Zhang Bao, you are a leader of the Yellow Turbans, yet you lack the courage to face me? If you dare, come down and fight three hundred rounds! I'll even give you one hand—do you accept?"

No matter how Sun Jian raged below, Zhang Bao refused to come out. He also sent a thousand men to hurl insults at Sun Jian, engaging in a shouting match. Throughout, Zhang Jiao remained silent.

On the other side, Liu Yao, observing the scene, grew suspicious. By rights, Zhang Jiao was the true leader of the Yellow Turbans, but today was odd—he hadn't spoken once, and Zhang Bao, the Earth General, was commanding everything.

"My lord, do you find Zhang Jiao strange?" Guo Jia whispered to Liu Yao.

"You think so too, Fengxiao?" Liu Yao asked in surprise. He hadn't expected Guo Jia to share his unease.

Guo Jia nodded. "Indeed, my lord. There are two peculiarities. First: Zhang Jiao hasn't uttered a word. Second: my lord, look at him closely."

Liu Yao scrutinized Zhang Jiao. He seemed utterly ordinary, the sort who would disappear in a crowd. Suddenly, Liu Yao was struck by a realization. "Could it be..."

Guo Jia nodded again. "Exactly, my lord. Warriors possess a fierce aura, scholars a scholarly air, and you, as a leader, exude noble authority. Zhang Jiao, as commander of a million Yellow Turbans and a man of high station, should have an imposing presence—perhaps not as grand as yours, but certainly not lacking. Yet, from this distance, he appears like an ordinary soldier, barely noticeable. Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang outshine him completely. There are only two possible explanations."

"Please, Fengxiao, enlighten me," Liu Yao asked urgently.